Wheel assembly and robot cleaner having the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wheel assembly capable of preventing a floor from being contaminated due to dust or impurities existing on driving wheels that move a body case. The wheel assembly includes a driving wheel that moves a body case in at least one direction, and at least one dust separator having an inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0125001, filed on Dec. 9, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a wheel assembly capable of removing dust or impurities from driving wheels of a body case. More particularly, embodiments relate to a wheel assembly capable of preventing a floor from being contaminated due to dust or impurities existing on driving wheels that move a body case.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a robot cleaner detects a cleaning area and obstacles by using a sensor installed at the robot cleaner to automatically perform a cleaning function while travelling along the cleaning area under the control of a controller. If a battery provided in the robot cleaner is discharged, the robot cleaner charges the battery using a charger separately provided at a predetermined position, and then returns to the cleaning area to perform the cleaning function.

Since the cleaning area of the robot cleaner is limited to a space between two driving wheels thereof, the robot cleaner may not remove dust or impurities existing on a floor in front of the driving wheels. Thus, the dust or impurities may adhere to the driving wheels of the robot cleaner, causing contamination of the floor.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an aspect of exemplary embodiments to provide a wheel assembly capable of preventing a floor from being contaminated due to dust or impurities existing on driving wheels that move a body case.

In an aspect of exemplary embodiments, there is provided a wheel assembly including a driving wheel that moves a body case in at least one direction, and a dust separator having an inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.

The dust separator may be installed at the body case while making contact with the driving wheel.

The wheel assembly may further include at least one dust transfer section provided between the body case and the driving wheel to receive the dust separated by the dust separator.

Further, the body case may be provided with at least one dust collection section to collect the dust transferred from the at least one dust transfer section.

Further, the at least one dust transfer section may include a first dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction, and a second dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving wheel rotates in a second direction.

Further, the dust collection section may include a first dust collection section communicating with the first dust transfer section and a second dust collection section communicating with the second dust transfer section.

Further, the body case may be provided with at least one dust remover section to remove the duct collected in the dust collection section.

Further, the driving wheel may include a ground contact section making contact with a floor, and the dust separator may include a brush having a length corresponding to an axial length of the ground contact section.

Further, the brush may include a brush bar coupled with the body case, and brush bristles connected with a lower portion of the brush bar to separate dust from the ground contact section.

Further, the dust separator may include a first dust separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel, and a second dust separator inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel.

Further, the first and second dust separators may be installed at the body case such that the first and second dust separators are configured in a substantially triangular shape while making contact with the driving wheel.

Further, the body may include a fan motor generating suction force, a filter collecting dust sucked by the fan motor, and a connection duct transferring the dust separated by the dust separator to the filter.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a robot cleaner including a body case, a fan motor installed at the body case to generate suction force, a filter collecting dust sucked by the fan motor, a suction head provided at a lower side of the body case, a driving wheel installed at the lower side of the body case, and at least one dust separator having an inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.

Further, the dust separator may include a first dust separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel, and a second dust separator inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel.

Further, the body case may include a connection duct that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator to the filter.

Further, the connection duct may include a first connection duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction, and a second connection duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating the robot cleaner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly of a robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a wheel assembly of a robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly rotating in a first direction according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly rotating in a second direction according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly of the robot cleaner shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Exemplary embodiments are described below by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a robot cleaner 10 according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating the robot cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly of the robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the wheel assembly of the robot cleaner 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the robot cleaner 10 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a body case 110, a fan motor 200, a filter 300, a suction head 400 and a main brush 500.

The fan motor 200 is installed in the body case 110 to generate suction force, and the filter 300 is installed in front of the fan motor 200 to collect dust or impurities sucked by the fan motor 200. Further, the suction head 400 is provided at a lower side of the body case 110 while being connected with the filter 300 through a connection pipe 410 to suck the dust or impurities existing on a floor. The main brush 500 is rotatably installed in the suction head 400 to remove the dust or impurities existing on the floor. Further, the robot cleaner 10 includes a controller 600 to control operations of the elements.

The body case 110 is provided therein with a battery 720 and on a rear surface thereof with a charge terminal 710 such that the battery 720 can be charged through the charge terminal 710.

The body case 110 is provided at an inner side of a front center portion thereof with an ultrasonic transmitter 810 that transmits ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transmitter 810 is provided at upper and lower sides thereof with ultrasonic receivers 820 that detect the ultrasonic waves reflected by an obstacle after being transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 810.

A wheel assembly 100 is installed under the body case 110 to move the body case 110 in at least one direction. The wheel assembly 100 includes a pair of main wheels 100 a disposed at both end portions of the main brush 500, and a plurality of auxiliary wheels 100 b that support the body case 110 at the front and rear portions of the main wheels 100 a such that the body case 110 can be horizontally maintained.

Since the main wheel 100 a is substantially identical to the auxiliary wheel 100 b, the following description will be focused on the main wheels 100 a of the wheel assembly 100. Further, although FIGS. 1 and 2 show the body case 110 employed as a body case 110 of the robot cleaner 10, the body case may be used for various devices provided with wheels to move from place to place. For example, the body case may be used for a vehicle having tires and a cleaner having wheels. In particular, such devices may include a unit that moves in a room using wheels, but contaminates the room due to the wheels.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheel assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a driving wheel 120 and a dust separator 130 inclined with respect to an axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 at a predetermined angle.

The driving wheel 120 includes a ground contact section 121, which makes contact with a floor during movement of the body case 110, and side sections 122 provided at both sides of the ground contact section 121.

Since the ground contact section 121 continuously makes contact with the floor during movement of the driving wheel 120, dust or impurities repeatedly adhere to and separated from the ground contact section 121. The side sections 122 are both sides of the driving wheel 120, which do not make contact with the floor. Each side section 122 is formed in one side thereof with an elongated recess 123 having a predetermined depth. A shaft 124 is provided at the center of each recess 123 such that the shaft 124 can be coupled with a side of the body case 110.

The body case 110 is provided with the dust separator 130 that is inclined with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 at a predetermined angle to separate dust from the driving wheel 120 while making contact with the driving wheel 120.

The dust separator 130 prevents dust or impurities scattered on the floor in front of the driving wheel 120 from adhering to the ground contact section 121, thereby preventing contamination of the floor. In detail, the dust separator 130 is installed on a bottom surface of the body case 110 to separate the dust or impurities adhering to the ground contact section 121. The dust separator 130 is inclined with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 at a predetermined inclination angle a such that the dust or impurities separated from the ground contact section 121 according to rotation of the driving wheel 120 can be shifted to one end or both ends of the driving wheel 120. In detail, the dust separator 130 is disposed above the ground contact section 121 in the diagonal direction of the body case 110 and has the predetermined inclination angle 8 with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120.

The dust separator 130 can be prepared in the form of a brush having a length corresponding to an axial length of the ground contact section 121. The brush 130 includes a brush bar 30 a coupled with the body case 110, and brush bristle 130 b connected with a lower portion of the brush bar 130 a to separate the dust or impurities from the ground contact section 121 and to induce the dust or impurities to a dust transfer section 140.

The brush bar 130 a is disposed on the bottom surface of the body case 110 and has a plate shape. The brush bar 130 a may include deformable material such that it can be prevented from being broken when it collides with an obstacle. Preferably, the brush bar 130 a includes elastic rubber.

The brush bristles 130 b include a plurality of bristle units coupled to a bottom of the brush bar 130 a while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in perpendicular to the extension direction of the brush bar 130 a. Each bristle unit includes a plurality of thin bristles. Typically, the bristles are used for a broomstick. In an exemplary embodiment, the bristles include flexible material capable of easily separating the dust or impurities from the ground contact section 121 while making contact with the ground contact section 121.

In this regard, the brush bristles 130 b include rubber or sponge provided at one side of the body case 110 to separate the dust or impurities from the ground contact section 121 while closely making contact with the ground contact section 121.

The dust transfer section 140 is provided between each seating groove 123 of the driving wheel 120 and the body case 110 to transfer the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to a dust collection section 150 which will be described later.

The dust transfer section 140 is coupled to both inner sides of the body case 110 to receive the dust or impurities separated from the ground contact section 121 by the dust separator 130. The dust transfer section 140 includes a first dust transfer section 140L coupled with one side of the body case 110, and a second dust transfer section 140R coupled with the other side of the body case 110 while interposing the driving wheel 120 therebetween.

If the driving wheel 120 rotates in a first direction D₁, the first dust transfer section 140L transfers the separated dust to a first dust collection section 150L. The first dust transfer section 140L can be inclined upward to transfer the dust or impurities, which are dropped from the top of the driving wheel 120, in the downward direction.

If the driving wheel 120 rotates in a second direction D₂, the second dust transfer section 140R transfers the separated dust to a second dust collection section 150R. Similarly to the first dust transfer section 140L, the second dust transfer section 140R can be inclined downward to transfer the dust or impurities, which are dropped from the top of the driving wheel 120, in the downward direction.

The body case 110 is provided with the dust collection section 150 to collect the dust transferred from the dust transfer section 140. The dust collection section 150 stores the dust transferred from the dust transfer section 140, and has openings at both end thereof such that the dust transfer section 140 communicates with a dust discharge section 160. In detail, one end of the dust collection section 150 communicates with the dust transfer section 140 and the other end of the dust collection section 150 communicates with the dust discharge section 160.

The dust collection section 150 includes the first dust collection section 150L coupled with the first dust transfer section 140L to store the dust, and the second dust collection section 150R coupled with the second dust transfer section 140R to store the dust.

The body case 110 is provided with the dust discharge section 160 to discharge the dust stored in the dust collection sections 150. The dust discharge section 160 includes a first dust discharge section 160L to discharge the dust stored in the first dust collection section 150L, and a second dust discharge section 160R to discharge the dust stored in the second dust collection section 150R.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the wheel assembly rotating in the first direction according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the wheel assembly rotating in the second direction according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the driving wheel 120 of the wheel assembly 100 rotates in the first direction D₁, dust is accumulated at one side of the dust separator 130, that is, a front end portion 130 c thereof. Then, the accumulated dust is directed in the direction A due to the inclination angle θ of the dust separator 130. Then, the dust drops down from the ground contact section 121 and is stored in the first dust collection section 150L via the first dust transfer section 140L. Thus, a user can remove the dust stored in the first dust collection section 150L using the first dust discharge section 160L.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the driving wheel 120 of the wheel assembly 100 rotates in the second direction D₂, dust is accumulated at the other side of the dust separator 130, that is, a rear end portion 130 d thereof. The accumulated dust is directed in a direction B due to the inclination angle θ of the dust separator 130. Then, the dust drops down from the ground contact section 121 and is stored in the second dust collection section 150R via the second dust transfer section 140R. Thus, a user can remove the dust stored in the second dust collection section 150R using the second dust discharge section 160R.

Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The same reference numerals are used to designate elements identical to those of a previous exemplary embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel assembly according to another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the wheel assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wheel assembly 100 according to another exemplary embodiment includes two dust separators 130 disposed above the driving wheel 120 inclined against each other about the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 and have predetermined inclination angles θ₁ and θ₂ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120.

The dust separators 130 include a first dust separator 131 having the predetermined inclination angle θ₁ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, and a second dust separator 132 having the predetermined inclination angle θ₂ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, separately from the first dust separator 131.

The first dust separator 131 prevents impurities scattered on a floor in front of the driving wheel 120 from adhering to the ground contact section 121, thereby preventing contamination of the floor. That is, the first dust separator 131 is installed on the body case 110 such that the first dust separator 131 has the predetermined inclination angle θ₁ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, thereby primarily separating the dust or impurities adhering to the ground contact section 121.

The second dust separator 132 separates dust of the ground contact section 121, from which the dust or impurities has been separated by the first dust separator 131, thereby preventing contamination of the floor. That is, the second dust separator 132 is installed on the body case 110 to have the predetermined inclination angle θ₂ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120, thereby secondarily separating the dust or impurities adhering to the ground contact section 121.

The inclination angle θ₁ of the first dust separator 131 with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 can be identical to the inclination angle θ₂ of the second dust separator 132 with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120. The first and second dust separators 131 and 132 are inclined against each other about the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, one end 131 a of the first dust separator 131 is connected to one end 132 a of the second dust separator 132, and the other end 131 b of the first dust separator 131 is spaced apart from the other end 132 b of the second dust separator 132, so that the first and second dust separators 131 and 132 are configured in a substantially triangular shape.

Thus, when the driving wheel 120 rotates in the first direction D₁, dust separated by the first dust separator 131 is transferred to the first dust transfer section 140L and simultaneously dust separated by the second dust separator 132 is transferred to the second dust transfer section 140R. Further, when the driving wheel 120 rotates in the second direction D₂, dust separated by the second dust separator 132 is transferred to the first dust transfer section 140L and simultaneously dust separated by the first dust separator 131 is transferred to the second dust transfer section 140R.

The dust transferred to the first and second dust transfer sections 140L and 140R is stored in the first and second dust collection sections 150L and 150R. Thus, a user can remove the dust stored in the first and second dust collection sections 150L and 150R using the first and second dust discharge sections (not shown).

Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The same reference numerals are used to designate elements identical to those of a previous embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a robot cleaner according to further another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a wheel assembly of the robot cleaner shown in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the robot cleaner 10 according to an exemplary embodiment includes the fan motor 200 installed in the body case 110 to generate suction force, the filter 300 that collects dust sucked by the fan motor 200, the suction head 400 provided at the lower side of the body case 110, the driving wheel 120 provided at the lower side of the body case 110, and at least one dust separator 130 having a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the axial center line L of the driving wheel 120 to separate dust from the driving wheel 120.

The body case 110 is provided with a connection duct 900 that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to the filter 300. The connection duct 900 includes a first connection duct 900L, which transfers the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to the filter 300 if the driving wheel 120 rotates in a forward direction, and a second connection duct 900R that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator 130 to the filter 300 if the driving wheel 120 rotates in a backward direction. Further, the first dust transfer section 140L is provided between the dust separator 130 and the first connection duct 900L, and the second dust transfer section 140R is provided between the dust separator 130 and the first connection duct 900R.

Thus, dust scattered on a floor in front of the driving wheel 120 can be collected in the filter 300 via the dust transfer sections 140L and 140R and the connection ducts 900L and 900R without adhering to the floor or adhering to the ground contact section 121, so that the floor can be prevented from being contaminated by the driving wheel 120.

Further, since the dust separator 130 of the driving wheel 120 is added to the filter 300 connected with the suction head 400, dust adhering to the wheel assembly 100 can be efficiently removed without using power dedicated for collecting the dust separated by the dust separator 130.

According to exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly may include a dust separator having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel, thereby preventing a floor from being contaminated due to the driving wheel.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 

1. A wheel assembly comprising: a driving wheel that moves a body case in at least one direction; and a dust separator having an inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.
 2. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the dust separator is installed at the body case while making contact with the driving wheel.
 3. The wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one dust transfer section provided between the body case and the driving wheel to receive the dust separated by the dust separator.
 4. The wheel assembly of claim 3, wherein the body case is provided with at least one dust collection section to collect the dust transferred from the at least one dust transfer section.
 5. The wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one dust transfer section comprises a first dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction, and a second dust transfer section that receives the dust from the dust separator when the driving wheel rotates in a second direction.
 6. The wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the dust collection section comprises a first dust collection section communicating with the first dust transfer section and a second dust collection section communicating with the second dust transfer section.
 7. The wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein the body case is provided with at least one dust remover section to remove the duct collected in the dust collection section.
 8. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the driving wheel comprises a ground contact section making contact with a floor, and the dust separator comprises a brush having a length corresponding to an axial length of the ground contact section.
 9. The wheel assembly of claim 8, wherein the brush comprises: a brush bar coupled with the body case; and brush bristles connected with a lower portion of the brush bar to separate dust from the ground contact section.
 10. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the dust separator comprises: a first dust separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel; and a second dust separator inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel.
 11. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a fan motor generating suction force; a filter collecting dust sucked by the fan motor; and a connection duct that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator to the filter.
 12. The wheel assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second dust separators are installed at the body case such that the first and second dust separators are configured in a substantially triangular shape while making contact with the driving wheel.
 13. A robot cleaner comprising: a body case; a fan motor installed at the body case to generate suction force; a filter collecting dust sucked by the fan motor; a suction head provided at a lower side of the body case; a driving wheel installed at the lower side of the body case; and at least one dust separator having an inclination angle with respect to an axial center line of the driving wheel to separate dust from the driving wheel.
 14. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the dust separator comprises: a first dust separator coupled with the body case and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel; and a second dust separator inclined against the first dust separator about the axial center line of the driving wheel and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial center line of the driving wheel.
 15. The wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the body case comprises a connection duct that transfers the dust separated by the dust separator to the filter.
 16. The wheel assembly of claim 15, wherein the connection duct comprises: a first connection duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a first direction; and a second connection duct that transfers the dust from the dust separator to the filter when the driving wheel rotates in a second direction. 